Her voice climbs higher with each word as she stands again.
It’s a challenge, not to me, but to my court. My friends. I ease out of my chair. Standing, I pull her attention to me, meeting her summons head-on.
Head on, but not alone. Lachlan stands beside me, and together we present a united front.
“No. They started a rebellion. A rebellion that I finished, which is why we’re standing here now.”
Freya blinks. The consequence of her words registering before she dips her chin in apology and plops back down. Her chest heaves with a deep breath.
I glance sidelong at Lachlan wanting to share in this victory with him, but his eyes stay on her. Monitoring the threat against me still. A hint of worry creases his brow. Or is that confusion?
“So you believe they’re using the mists somehow?” Luna asks, breaking the silence.
Odr glares at her, but responds. “We believe they’re using the mists as a shield to hide their captives from us.”
“And you know for a fact the mists weren’t there before?” Lachlan asks. Freya studies him closely, her brilliant green eyes taking in every detail.
“We do. The mists developed a century ago. Did anyone—older not tell you anything about that?”
“We’ve had quite a few deaths and injuries over the last half-century that wiped out councilors, and a few of our Valkyries. But mainly anyone who would know anything about life here before.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, fighting the urge to sink lower in my chair. Actually, I want to hide away forever.
But Freya’s head shakes from side to side as if she’s clearing my words from her ears. “I’m sorry. Did you say deaths? And injuries?”
“Yes…” Lachlan trails off when I reach out and squeeze the arm he has resting on the table, silencing him. I need to do this. It’s my duty.
“The magic here wasgone. Our realm was on the brink of destruction.”
Her eyes widen as realization sparks. “And you were all trapped here.”
“We were,” Mathilda adds. Sorrow lines her face, no doubt thinking of her mom and sister.
“How many deaths?” Odr asks. His face softens, and the tension leaves his shoulders.
“Too many,” Mina replies. Harald’s attention has remained on her the entire time, but now a smirk tugs up the corner of his mouth at the sound of her voice. She frowns at him.
“Recently?” Freya asks, her eyes glistening.
“Two from the court—Elowen and Skadi. Sixteen from the invasion.” My tongue is thick as I force the words out. “Countless before then. It appears the imposter had taken over fifty years ago if we pieced the timeline together properly.”
“I am so sorry we were not here.” Freya’s chin juts out with her words as if she’s fighting back her own emotions.
“You did not know.” My words soften the guilt she no doubt feels. “You are here now, and that’s all that matters.”
She nods stiffly. “What do you know of Julius?”
“When he escaped, he said he would give his regards to Odessa and my Gran when he breached the human realm. But that was it—besides what we uncovered in their cave.”
Freya sighs. “If he was a shapeshifter and working with an asphidra, he could be anywhere. But now we have confirmation that they intend to breach the human realm.”
I shrug and then shift my shoulders to adjust the axe straps. I can’t help it, but I curl into myself. The onslaught of emotions overwhelms me.
She studies my face, sadness creeping over her green eyes as she takes a deep breath. “There are more pressing matters thatneed to be discussed at present.” I nod, but a breath stutters out of me. Lachlan shifts towards me, offering support.
“Would you like my assistance with her sailing?” Freya asks, reading my expression for what it is.
I nod. “Please.”
